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KCRW Style Fringe Benefits for SoRo Residents
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As KCRW offers their first key chain fringe benefits cards (whew! we'll finally remember to use it now), one local neighborhood council has gone out and done something similar. The South Robertson Neighborhood Council, an official City of Los Angeles community volunteer advisory board that represents neighborhoods south of Beverly Hills such as Beverlywood and La Cienega Heights (map below to see if you live, work or play there), has launched the SOROCARD that offers cardholders discounts at participating local businesses.
Since its launch in June, some twenty businesses have opted in and there are currently around 400 people with cards. "It's a slow roll out," explained Marjan Safinia, Co-Chair of the council's Outreach Committee. "We didn't expect it to be a slam dunk out of the gate." She is hoping some anchor stores get involved soon.
The card is free to stakeholders and free for businesses to participate. Most discounts range from 5 to 10% for food, clothing and other services. "It's to keep money in the neighborhood and get more people involved in the council, which can seem a bit dry," Safinia explained about the card and other rebranding efforts to make the council more relevant to stakeholders.
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The majority of Los Angeles has Neighborhood Councils made up of volunteer members who are elected by the public to advise the city on neighborhood and citywide issues in addition to representing the neighborhood by being a conduit between city hall and the people.
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